d great knowledge of
the lady whom he addressed. He brought out his trump, so to speak,
when he mentioned Miss Sallianna, and alluded to his intention never
to return, perhaps.

The lady could not resist. The moment had arrived when she was to
decide whether she should supply the youthful O'Calligans with a noble
father and protector, or suffer them still to inhabit the dangerous
side-walk in infant helplessness, and exposed to every enemy.

Therefore the fair Mistress O'Calligan found her resolution
evaporate--her objections removed--she consented to comply with Mr.
Jinks' request, because the object of her affections made it--yes, the
object of her affections for many a long day, through every accusation
of cabbaged cloth, and other things brought by his enemies--the
object of her ambition, the destined recipient of the garden, and the
chickens, and the pigs, when fate removed her!

And having uttered this speech with great agitation, and numerous
gasps, Mistress O'Calligan yielded to her nerves, and reposed upon Mr.
Jinks' breast.

Fifteen minutes afterwards Mr. Jinks was going back to Bousch's
tavern, mounted on Fodder, and grimacing.

"She'll do it, sir! she'll do it!" said Mr. Jinks; "we'll see. Look
out for gory blood, sir!"

And that was all.

CHAPTER LVI.

TAKES VERTY TO MR. ROUNDJACKET.

As Mr. Jinks went along, thus absorbed in his dreams of vengeance, he
chanced to raise his head; which movement made him aware of the fact
that a gentleman with whom he was well acquainted rode in the same
direction with himself--that is to say, toward Bousch's tavern.

This was Verty, who, absorbed as completely by his own thoughts as was
Mr. Jinks, did not see that gentleman until Cloud very nearly walked
over the diminutive Fodder.

Mr. Jinks laid his hand on his sword, and frowned; for it was one of
the maxims of this great militaire, that one is never more apt to
escape an attack than when he appears to hold himself in readiness,
and seems prepared for either event.

Verty did not consider himself bound, however, to engage in a combat
at the moment; and so with grave politeness, bowed and passed on his
way.

They arrived at the tavern nearly at the same moment.

Ralph was sitting on the porch, inhaling the fresh October air, gazing
at the bright waves of the little stream which sparkled by beneath
the willows; and at times varying these amusements by endeavoring
to smoke from a pipe which had g